[Happinow]

Went to the blackberry festival today expecting to find lots of blackberries. Instead I found many vendors for this and that but no blackberries. What am I missing? I didn't go inside the American Legion building where there were many people lined up to get inside, maybe they were in there? I also thought they may have a booth or two with fresh veggies but there was none. All was not lost...we got a sign for our lamp post.

[casita37]

I was so disappointed to find just another flea market, and not a blackberry in sight! We were told the berries had been inside, but had already run out. The line to get inside was so long, we decided not to even try to find out if that was true.

[cquick]

Yup, we just got back from the Blackberry Festival. Took us a half hour to park, then we saw the huge line to get inside the American Legion hall to buy any food at all. And we were told they were out of blackberries, and someone was out picking some now.

I liked the vendors, but the Legion should have had some food vendors outside as well as inside.

Maybe they will improve next year,since they found out it is so popular.

We went to Ay Jalisco at Spanish Springs to eat lunch, and there were 2 other families there who had left the festival dissapointed.

Food is great there!

[Happinow]

Originally Posted by cquick

Yup, we just got back from the Blackberry Festival. Took us a half hour to park, then we saw the huge line to get inside the American Legion hall to buy any food at all. And we were told they were out of blackberries, and someone was out picking some now.

I liked the vendors, but the Legion should have had some food vendors outside as well as inside.

Maybe they will improve next year,since they found out it is so popular.

We went to Ay Jalisco at Spanish Springs to eat lunch, and there were 2 other families there who had left the festival dissapointed.

Food is great there!

What kind of food does Ay Jalisco serve? Looking for a new place to eat.

[bkcunningham1]

Went went to the American Legion Blackberry Festival too. The vendors were nice, but like you said: No blackberries. My husband was very disappointed and said it was just like the square's vendor nights - on steroids. I asked someone standing in line waiting to get inside the Legion hall what they were standing in line for and he said he didn't know. He said they were told they were out of blackberries inside and someone was going to get some to bring back, but, he said laughing, "I still don't know why I'm standing in line in this heat."

We went to Golden Corral for lunch with our friend thinking we'd at least get blackberry cobbler. Nope. Only peach and blueberry cobbler. lol I had a wonderful day anyway.

[sandybill2]

We just got back as well. Took forever to park---thought there would be booths selling blackberries. Nary a one in sight. Don't know if they expected such a crowd. We didn't go inside either as the line was way too long. Husband is a member and we thought we would go inside member's lounge for a drink but was so crowded we just left.

[NotGolfer]

Ay Jalisco is a really great Mexican restaurant. It's on the opposite corner of the block that Ruby Tuesday is on. They also have another one in Leesburg!

[JAV0108]

My hubby and I were disappointed too. We also went to Brooksville "Blueberry" Festival earlier this year and they didn't have any blueberries either. Didn't expect the same ole, same ole crafts so was pretty disappointed. A fresh veggie stand would have been wonderful. Lets put a bug in someones ear for next year. I went to Walmart and bought some blackberries. Yum!

[bkcunningham1]

NotGolfer, have have you tried the Mexican restaurant El Ranchito's on Griffin Avenue off of state Rt. 441? Mmm mmmm, very good authentic Mexican food and even better margarita's.

[gmcneill]

We arrived just after 9 am. 15 minute wait to purchase blackberries, and a few minute wait to buy black berry cobbler and blackberry cheesecake.
Lines for all of the above were out the door long by 1015 or so.

At about 1030 they announced that they had run out of blackberries but expected delivery of more by 1130.

The berries we bought tasted just horrible; they were not large or sweet at all.



Ok. So I just lied so you who missed out wouldnt feel too bad.
Bad Georgie! Off to confession I go!

[applesoffh]

Too bad! Tons of fresh blackberries at the Wildwood Farmers Market from Country Time Berries...huge, sweet, juicy and delicious! This family-owned operation will be bringing fresh blackberry cobblers and jams next week, in addition to two sizes of fresh blackberries. Saturdays, 9am - 1pm in front of Wildwood City Hall on 301. I don't work for them, but, reading everyone's disappointment, am posting the info off their blackberry package and passing along the info given to me by the women at the booth.

[CaptJohn]

Party at George's house. 6PM. Everyone's invited!

[buzzy]

The festival was truly lame. Not a sign in sight to say what was going on inside. So we waited on the line for 20 minutes or so, but we noticed a lot pf people just bypassing the line to go in. Finally a customer told us that the line was for the hamburger stand inside the building. So we on ahead to get inside and look for the blackberries. There were rows of tables with people eating burgers & snacks. One row against the wall was where the blackberry sales were supposed to be. When we approached, we were told that the blackberries were all gone, and would not be restocked today.

Now here's where it gets interesting. My wife grabbed the iPhone (substitute your favorite brand), and looked up the Back Road Berry Farm. So it's in Oxford, a couple of miles north of 466 on Rte 103. 15 minutes later, we pulled up, grabbed a bucket and went into the field. Another 15 minutes later we were checking out with 5 lbs of fresh berries @ 4.00/lb. Gosh darn berries grow on vines, you don't even have to bend down to pick'em. Good news is that the season lasts another 2-3 weeks.

[gmcneill]

Originally Posted by CaptJohn

Party at George's house. 6PM. Everyone's invited!

Still saying penance....looks like it'll be awhile

Maybe next year

[duffysmom]

We had a lovely morning at the Wildwood farmers market. They had blackberries as well as vegtables and fruit (great peaches) at reasonable prices. A couple of miles west on 301 past the farmer's market you can pick blackberries for the next week or so and the good news is you don't have to bend over, they grow on trellises.